Negative Thinking

To Keep Thoughts Level, Clear, Logical and Positive

Sometimes our thoughts can be negative and we have trouble trying to stop or think of something positive. If we are on a cycle of negative thinking, it is not beneficial and we must somehow stop. It is difficult to be happy while thinking negatively.

When stuck on a negative thinking treadmill, ask yourself the following questions:

Is this a thought or a feeling or is it a fact?

Is this thought beneficial? Is it making me feel good?

What proof or evidence do I have that my thought is true?

What proof or evidence do I have that my thought is not true?

Am I jumping to conclusions?

Am I thinking of the worst case scenario?

What would my friend advise me to do right now?

What would I advise my friend / family member to do in the same situation?

What is the worst thing that could happen? If it does happen, what could I do to help me cope?

Will this be important in six months’ time? Will it matter in two years’ time?

www.carolinecrotty.ie

Health Anxiety

Health anxiety is when your mind wanders from one health crisis to the next. Constantly checking or scanning your body for something wrong can be quite stressful. Searching on line for symptoms makes you feel worse and the more anxious you are the more anxious you become. Some signs and symptoms of health anxiety include:

You think you are going to die or have a disease the doctor missed.

You had your bloods checked but believe you have an undiagnosed illness.

You go to the doctor hoping to be given an explanation for your symptoms. Your GP can’t find anything wrong and suggests that what you are experiencing may be as a result of stress. You leave the surgery feeling happy that the GP knows best but after a day or two niggling doubts return and the cycle of uncertainty begins again and you are convinced you are very unwell.

You have a dull headache which you try to ignore. You tell your doctor who reassures you that you are well. You begin to think the headache is a brain tumour. You check on line and find evidence that you have the symptoms of a tumour and think your GP must have missed something. You return to your GP who says your headache is because you have been working/training hard and are dehydrated. You are reassured and leave the GP’s surgery feeling happy. Later that night you question why your GP didn’t refer you for a scan – you cannot be certain you don’t have a brain tumour without a scan and decide you need a second opinion.

What Caroline Crotty can do for you

I can help you to identify whether you have health anxiety. If you do, together we can devise a plan to help you relax and regain control over your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. I can help you to learn how to reassure yourself that you are well, safe and healthy so that you no longer experience fear of death/illness. Through therapy you gain perspective and learn how to successfully overcome unwanted thoughts and you also gain insight – why do you think the way you think.

www.carolinecrotty.ie

Anxiety

Anxiety affects a vast number of people at different times throughout their lives. The symptoms of anxiety are varied and differ from person to person. Anxiety cannot be eliminated completely but it can be controlled. The day we stop experiencing anxiety is the day we are no longer alive! Sometimes people may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

· Tiredness

· Difficulty concentrating

· Restless and feeling wound-up

· Muscle tension

· Dizzy spells

· Tummy problems including nausea or pain

· Loss of appetite or eating too much

· Pins and needles in hands or arms or mouth or face

· Tightness or discomfort in chest

· Choking sensation

· Sweating at night time

· Heart racing

· Sleep problems

Fears become heightened when we are anxious and we may not want to stay on our own in the house at night time or we might sleep with the lights on or install extra security cameras even though we know the risk of a break-in is very low.

Anxiety sometimes causes us to avoid certain situations like not going to a concert because of the crowds but we are still anxious when at home.

Solution

The good news is that anxiety is manageable through education, learning how to relax and manage our fears, thoughts and actions. Therapy is a great way to learn why we think the way we think. We may be too anxious to travel across a bridge but in fact the real fear is the water under the bridge.

What Caroline Crotty can do for you

In therapy I can provide you with an opportunity to talk about your fears and thoughts. I listen to you and help you to understand what you are experiencing and why. I can help you think more clearly, get a better night’s sleep, stop your mind from racing, gain control over your feelings/thoughts/behaviour so that you can do the things you want to do and be less afraid.